Over the past decade, drones have become an integral part of everyday life – in industries as diverse as entertainment, healthcare And construction. They also began to change the way they grew food.
In a new study published in the journal Science, we show that the use of agricultural drones spread extremely quickly throughout the world. IN our research As social scientists studying agriculture and rural development, we set out to document where agricultural drones are taking off from around the world, what they do, and why they have gotten so far. We also looked at what these changes mean for farmers, the environment, the public and governments.
From toys to farming tools
Just a few years ago, agricultural drones were expensive, small and difficult to use, limiting their appeal to farmers. On the contrary, today's models can be flown immediately after purchase and carry loads weighing up to 220 pounds (100 kg) – the weight of two bags of fertilizer.
Their prices vary from country to country due to taxes, tariffs and shipping costs. In the USA, the owner of a drone can count on expenses From 20,000 to 30,000 US dollars for the same equipment that a farmer in China could buy for less than US$10,000. However, most farmers hire service providerssmall businesses that supply drones and pilots for a fee, making their use simple and relatively affordable.
Agricultural drones are now akin to flying tractors—multi-functional machines that can perform multiple tasks using a variety of hardware attachments. Common uses of drones on farms include crop spraying, fertilizer spreading, seed sowing, food transport, distribution. fish foodpainting greenhouses, monitoring the location and welfare of livestockmapping field topography and drainage, and measuring crop health. This versatility makes drones valuable for growing numerous crops on farms of any size.
Technological Leap
We assessed the number of agricultural drones operating in some of the world's leading agricultural countries by reviewing online news and trade publications in various languages. The effort showed where agricultural drones have already taken off around the world.
Historically, most agricultural technologies (such as tractors) spread from high-income countries to middle- and then low-income countries over many decades. Drones have partially reversed and dramatically accelerated this trend, spreading first from East Asia to Southeast Asia, then to Latin America, and finally to North America and Europe. Their use is more limited in higher-income regions, but is accelerating rapidly in the United States.
China leads the world in the production and deployment of agricultural drones. In 2016, the Chinese company introduced the first quadcopter model for agriculture. Now there is more than 250,000 Agricultural drones are reported to be used there. Other middle-income countries have also enthusiastically embraced the idea. For example, drones have been used 30% of Thailand's agricultural land in 2023, compared to almost zero in 2019, mainly due to pesticide spraying and fertilizer application.
In USA quantity agricultural drones registered with the Federal Aviation Administration jumped from about 1,000 in January 2024 to about 5,500 in mid-2025. Industry reports suggests these figures significantly underestimate drone use in the US as some owners seek to avoid the complex registration process. Agricultural drones in the US are used primarily to spray crops such as corn and soybeans, especially in areas that are difficult to reach with tractors or harvesting aircraft.
Safer, but not without risk
In countries such as China, Thailand and Vietnam, millions of small farmers have gone from the dangerous and tedious work of manually applying agrochemicals using backpack sprayers to using some of the most advanced technology in the world, often using the same models that are popular in the USA.
Significant shift from chemical application using backpack sprayers to using drones reduces the risk of direct exposure to toxins for farmers and agricultural workers.
However, since drones usually spray height at least 6 feet (2 meters)if used incorrectly they can distribute droplets containing pesticides or herbicides neighboring farms, waterways or casual observers. This can damage crops and endanger people and nature.
Saving labor or replacing it?
Drones save farmers time and money. They reduce the need for smallholders—people who farm less than 5 acres (2 hectares)—who account for 85% of farms worldwide – perform dangerous and tedious manual spraying and spreading work on your own farms. They also eliminate the need to hire workers to do the same.
By eliminating some of the last remaining physically strenuous work in farming, drones could also help make farming more attractive to rural youth, who are often disillusioned with the hard work of traditional farming. Additionally, drones are opening up new skilled employment opportunities for pilots in rural areas. many of them are young people.
On the other hand, the use of drones could displace workers who currently make a living by spraying crops. For example, according to one estimate from Chinadrones can cover 10 to 25 acres (4 to 10 hectares) of farmland per hour while spraying pesticides. This is equivalent to the effort of 30 to 100 workers spraying by hand. Governments may have to find ways to help laid-off workers find new jobs.
The sky is the limit
Drones spray and scatter fertilizers and seeds evenly and efficientlyto spend less. They can also reduce damage to crops in the field And consume less energy than large agricultural machines such as tractors.
Combined, these factors can increase the amount of food that can be produced on each acre of land while reducing the amount of resources required to do so. This result is the Holy Grail for agricultural scientists, who call it “sustainable intensification“
However, much of the evidence for increased yields resulting from drone farming is anecdotal or based on small studies or industry reports.
The drone revolution is changing agriculture faster than any other technology before it. In just five years, millions of farmers around the world have started using drones. Early signs point to big benefits: increased efficiency, safer working conditions and improved living conditions in rural areas. But the full picture is not yet clear.
This article has been republished from Talka nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trusted analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. He was written by: Ben Belton, Michigan State University And Leo Baldiga, Michigan State University
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The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in, or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations other than their academic position.
